Podcast Rodeo

On paper, the phrase “Gilbert Gottfried’s Podcast” might strike horror in the heart of some… but it’s one of the best podcasts out there. Gilbert is indeed one of the most foul-mouthed comedians in modern history and has the tendency to harp on a filthy joke much longer than is necessary. Add to that his grating, loud voice and you’ve got a potential recipe for Podcast Horror.

One of my favorite early episodes is the Kliph Nesteroff interview. Nesteroff is a fellow cinefile and author of “The Comedians” – an encyclopedia of the early days of comedy.

The highlight is when Gilbert, Frank and Nesteroff discuss “The Meanist Man in Hollywood,” comedian and TV presenter Jack Carter. Through his interviews with Carter, Nesteroff collected his most vitriolic quotes about people he worked with for a series on his Tumblr called “Shit Jack Carter Says.”

VICKI LAWRENCE WAS A TOTAL BITCH. WHAT A CUNT.WHAT A TERRIBLE LADY SHE WAS.WHAT A NAZI!

** JACK CARTER SIDENOTE: On an episode of “Live with Norm Macdonald” in April 2014, Carter delivered, in person, the same sort of vitriol that Nesteroff heard in their interviews. Carter calls Ed Sullivan a “scumbag” and “a deviant.”
Carter passed away not long after and many have wondered if Norm’s interviewing style was to blame.

But no one makes Gilbert laugh like Pat Cooper though.
Gottfried screams the entire episode while Cooper follows some script in his own head, ignoring the hosts’ wishes for order and coherence.

This episode is especially memorable because normally the guest and the co-host are attempting to get Gilbert under control, as he veers from topic-to-topic. Cooper’s screaming bursts through their questions like Jim Brown exploding through a defensive line.

That is, until the end, when Gilbert gives in to Cooper’s wishes. The last 20 minutes of the podcast is comprised of the hosts throwing out the name of a director or actor and having Cooper profanely harangue that person.